University Projects

BTnode

BTnode

Customer: ETH Zurich [TIK]

Based on a Bluetooth radio and a micro controller, the BTnode is an autonomous wireless communication and computing platform which serves as a demonstration platform for research in mobile and ad-hoc connected networks (MANETs) and distributed sensor networks. The BTnode was jointly developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Science and Technology (ETH, Zurich) by the Computer Engineering and Networks Laboratory (TIK) and the Research Group for Distributed Systems. The BTnode is currently being used in two major research projects, i.e. NCCR MICS and Smart-Its.

Our Contribution

Industrialisation of the ETH prototype design and production of small to medium volumes.

EUROPRACTICE – MCM

European Commission, 4th Framework Project (FP4)

The rapidly changing market for embedded and portable computing exhibits a steadily growing demand for improved reliability and increasing processing performance in progressively smaller form factors. A Pentium® based Multi-Chip-Module (MCM) was designed and manufactured during the 4th Framework project «EUROPRACTICE-MCM». The main scientific and technical challenge of the project was to develop a technology demonstrator to show the potential of High Density Packaging (HDP) technologies.

Advantages of MCM-based solutions

  • simplification of system design
  • internal routing of high-speed host bus signals reduces power consumption and ringing
  • high frequencies & critical signals remain inside MCM
  • standard simple interfaces (PCI, DRAM)
  • reduced number of signal layers on motherboard
  • less aggressive board design rules
  • reduction of motherboard area
  • significant reduction in size (¼ of original size)
  • overall weight reduction
  • easily upgradeable (new processors / chipsets)
  • reduced time-to-market (no board changes required)
  • improved EMC and thermal performance
  • end-user needs no Pentium® knowledge

Results

The Pentium® MCM was mounted on thermally enhanced Plastic-Stud-Grid-Array (PSGA), a packaging technology using plastic studs moulded to the body of the package instead of large solder balls, which provides reliable, low cost packaging of high pin-count devices. An existing Pentium® module chipset with 2nd level cache (9 chips plus SMD components), DRAM interface and PCI host-bridge was used with thin film on silicon in a PSGA housing which was significantly smaller than the original packaged Pentium® processor, i.e. 25% of the original packaged Pentium®.

The SP5MX1 is a miniaturised version of the core of a Pentium® processor based Multi-Chip-Module (MCM) which is intended as a processor subsystem for use in mobile and embedded systems. First tests were successfully carried out with Windows NT running and some benchmark programs at a clock frequency of 100 MHz.

GPS Data Logger (ZHAW)

Customer: Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)

Under the leadership of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), the research project «mafreina» tracks tourists in National Parks in order to capture and model the needs and practices of recreation seekers in the countryside, e.g. in the “Biosfera Val Müstair” Natural Reserve in Switzerland. Based on the HW and SW of the OEM GPS Data Logger, one of our existing semi-custom devices, the ZHAW GPS Data Logger offers large data storage and stops logging to save power when not in motion giving a 7-day recording capacity. The custom designed housing uses a special manufacturing technology particularly suited to small volume custom enclosures avoiding the need for expensive tooling.

Our Contribution

  • use existing semi-custom GPS-Data-Logger (OEM)
  • integration of a low power motion sensor
  • use of existing parts to maintain affordable costs (for low volumes)
  • custom made enclosure for mechanical & environmental protection

Polar - Space

«POLAR» (in Space)

POLAR: Gamma Ray Burst Polarimeter

Customer: European Space Agency (ESA)
ESA Contract No. 4000107117/12/NL/CB (HVPS)
ESA Contract No. 4000107120/12/NL/CB (LVPS)

Despite being discovered in 1960 (Vela satellites) Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) are still full of mystery and the production mechanism of these very intense explosions in the universe is still unknown. To validate – or exclude – existing models about their creation, a precise measurement of the polarisation of the GRB is essential.

POLAR is a highly sensitive detector using the Compton Scattering Effect to measure the polarisation of incoming photons. With its large FoV (field of view) and a detection energy up to 500 keV POLAR will measure the polarisation of GRB emissions using low Z material Plastic Scintillators, multimode Photomultipliers and multi-channel ASIC Front-end Electronics. POLAR is scheduled for two to three years operation in space during which a large number of GRBs are expected to be measured.

Polar - Tiangong2 Installation

First official photo onboard
space laboratory “Tiangong-2”

Polar - LVPS

Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS)

Polar - HVPS

High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS)

Our Contribution

Construction of the POLAR detector was an international collaboration project with contributions from China, France, Poland and Switzerland. The scope of Art of Technology’s duties and responsibilities included the Design and Development of the Low and High Power modules, i.e.:

  • Feasibility Study:
    investigate design of the existing front end electronics with respect to issues related to space applications in order to identify potential design errors or weaknesses and provide recommendations to increase reliability of manufacturing and overall system
  • High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS):
    system reverse engineering from breadboard, system re-design, development and manufacture of the High Voltage Power Supply with 26 settable power sources on 3 prints with 300 – 500 components per board (300mm x 60mm, 6 layers)
  • Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS):
    system feasibility study, design, development and manufacture of the Low Voltage Power Supply (LVPS) with 82 switchable power sources on 2 prints with 800 – 1’300 components per board (300mm x 60mm, 8 layers)
  • Component procurement and production:
    EQM, QM’s and FM (at the end-user’s choice of manufacturers)

POLAR was the only non-Chinese experiment onboard Tiangong-2, the Chinese space laboratory intended as an interim test bed for key technologies that was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center  (JLSC) on 15th September 2016 and then de-commission on 19th July 2019 (as planned).

Our first electronics in space!

PermaSense - Matterhorn Instalation

Measuring Permafrost in the Alps «PermaSense»

Customer: ETH Zurich [TIK]

Permafrost is a thermal subsurface phenomenon; made-up of rock, ground and debris which is frozen throughout the year within the steep alpine bedrock. Not visible at the surface, Permafrost thaws during the summer months and can seriously affect slope stability leading to dangerous natural hazards which may hinder the safe operation of man-made infrastructure in the surrounding area. As PermaSense devices are installed and operated at high altitude in mountain regions with a permafrost environment, the system and all of its component parts must run reliably at low temperatures and be able to withstand large, daily temperature changes (in excess of 40°C) depending on sun irradiation, wind and snow.

PermaSense - Mountaineers

Due to the fact that the PermaSense devices are only accessible by helicopter during summer, a 2-3 year maintenance-free operation is absolutely mandatory. In order to ensure long-term, reliable operation the design of the system also had to take into the following demands into consideration:

  • extreme daily weather variations
  • danger from lightning, avalanches, rockfall, frost / ice and snow
  • limited power available from the battery
  • restricted space for electronics and battery
  • low production volumes & time frame
PermaSense - Matterhorn Basestation

Solution

Data is collected via a flexible, distributed wireless sensor network (WSN) which has been specially adapted to the geophysical sensors, thereby enabling reliable and high-quality measurements in the extreme environmental conditions. The system developed featured, in addition to the in-mast integration of the GPS receiver and antenna, a 2-axis inclinometer, all electronics and cables and a 12V photovoltaic system, the following:

  • wireless system with low latency data transmission
  • temperature measurements with sensor bars and thermistor chains
  • sensor nodes with “crack meter”
  • 2-dimensional measurement of gap movement

Our Contribution

Design, development and industrialisation of miniaturised wireless sensors based on functional (hardware) model, including:

  • development of wireless GPS-system (HW)
  • specialised sensors and electronics
  • robust package
  • low sampling rates (1-60 min)
  • battery operated (3 year lifespan)
  • networked devices with wireless data transfer
  • production of small batches of all product variants
  • 6 months from concept to first production batch
PermaSense - Summit
PermaSense - System Archictecture
PermaSense - System

Qbic - Computer

Q-Belt Integrated Computer «QBIC»

Customer: ETH Zurich (IfE)

Designed to be comfortable to wear without compromising reliability «QBIC» is not just a wearable computer, it also serves a classic function… keeping your trousers up! Heart of the «QBIC» is a Intel Xscale CPU (Intel PXA263B1C400) which runs at a variable speed up to 400 MHz. The belt contains a battery, real-time clock and system bus extension for peripherals. Moreover the belt provides plugs for USB and serial devices (RS-232), VGA connector and power connector which can be used to attach to a mains supply, or an additional belt-attachable battery.

The buckle, which can be removed from the belt and slotted onto a developer board (for convenient programming), contains two circuit boards:

  • a main board with the CPU, SDRAM and power supply, and
  • an extension board with the Bluetooth device, USB controllers and an MMC card slot
Qbic - Transparent
Qbic - Size Comparison

Architecture

Qbic - Architecture
Features
  • CPU XScale (Intel PXA263B1C400)
    – 400 MHz (scalable), 32 MB internal Flash
    – Dynamic Core Voltage Regulation
  • Memory
    – 256 MB SDRAM
    – MMC card slot (up to 2GB Flash)
  • Ports
    – USB (2 Host, 1 Client-optional)
    – 2 x RS-232C Serial Ports
    – VGA output (640×480)
    – GPIO-Pins
  • Bluetooth
  • Low Power RF Transceiver
  • 10 hour run-time (with external battery)
  • Hot-plug battery exchange
  • Small Size

Qbic

«QBIC» is a fully-fledged computer integrated into an everyday accessory – a belt !

Designed to Wear

Although originally developed as a research platform to collect and process sensory data for medical monitoring and context recognition projects, QBIC can be used for a variety of applications, e.g.

Typical ApplicationsProjects and groups using QBIC
  • monitoring medical parameters of critical patients
    (24 hours a day)
  • acquisition & analysis of data on user movement
    (for rehabilitation)
  • collection and analysis of user movement
    (for dance projects)
  • recognition & monitoring of daily activities
  • monitoring user actions in work processes
  • computer for reality games
  • location tracking
  • travel guide for tourists and travelers
  • Embedded Systems Lab
    University Passau, Germany
  • Fighting cardio-vascular diseases
    My Heart
  • Skoda car production
    WearIT@Work
  • gespag hospital management
    WearIT@Work
  • WearLab
    TZI, University Bremen, Germany
Stix Telescope-1

The Spectrometer Teclescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) includes an Imager (left) and Detector Module (right) (Photo: FHNW)

The STIX Instrument

Spectrometer Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX)

Art of Technology was awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the design, development, production and supply of the Detector Electronics Module (DEM) used in the STIX instrument, a Swiss experiment, funded by the Swiss Space Office and one of ten instruments on-board the Solar Orbiter.

Launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral on 10th February 2020, Solar Orbiter will travel to within 45 million km of the Sun (¼ of the distance between the Earth and the Sun, closer than any other spacecraft to date allowing a portion of the surface to be observed for longer periods of time without interruption. The Solar Orbiter mission will address the central questions of helio-physics, i.e. how does the Sun create and control the heliosphere?

Developed and built under the leadership of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern (FHNW), the STIX instrument will provide observations of the sun with unprecedented sharpness and direct measurements of solar winds and charged particles close to their point of origin. The new orbit will allow study of the far side of the Sun that cannot be seen from Earth… and for the first time, the polar regions.

STIX will contribute to understanding the mechanisms behind the acceleration of electrons at the Sun and their transport into the interplanetary space. STIX will also play a key role in linking remote-sensing and in-situ observations on Solar Orbiter with imaging spectroscopy of solar thermal and non-thermal X-ray emissions providing quantitative information on the timing, location, intensity and spectra of accelerated electrons as well as of high temperature thermal plasmas, which are mostly associated with flares or micro-flares in the solar corona and chromosphere.

The STIX instrument is divided into three subsystems operating in two different thermal environments: Feedthrough with two X-ray windows, Grids with aspect system and the Detector Electronics Module (DEM). The Grids and DEM are located inside the spacecraft, while the feedthrough is surrounded by the heat-shield and one of the windows is directly exposed to the Sun. The spacecraft interior temperature is kept at +50°C and -20°C in hot and cold operational modes respectively, while the CdTe detectors located inside the DEM are kept at around -20°C by a cold element provided by the spacecraft.

Stix Telescope-2
Stix DEM

Detector Electronics Module (DEM)

Stix DEM DeE Q1

Optical Alignment of the Detector Electronics (DeE-Q1)

Detector Electronics Module (DEM)

Customer: European Space Agency (ESA)
ESA Contract No. 4000108509/13/NL/JC

The Detector Electronics Module includes cold electronics with 32 detectors (aligned behind each collimator of the imager to perform photon-counting and spectroscopy in the hard X-ray range, as well as analogue buffers, filters and temperature sensors) connected to a cold element at −20°C, and warm front-end electronics (including analogue-to-digital converters, voltage regulators, test pulse generator, filters) possibly at +50°C.

The Instrument Data Processing Unit (IDPU) includes Power Supply Units (PSU), FPGAs to control the Detectors (configuration and event readout) and all ADC (for aspect system photodiode, temperature and photon energy signal encoding) as well as flight application software for scientific data processing and Space-wire communication with the spacecraft.

Stix Telescope-3

Our Contribution

Design, development, production, integration and test ofSystem design support
  • Detector Electronics (DeE)
  • High Voltage Electronics (HVE)
  • Back-End Electronics (BEE)
  • Support and review of flight design layout (PSU)
  • Interface to Power Supply Unit (PSU)
  • Interface to Instrument Data Processing Unit (IDPU)
Support instrument integration and testingElectronic Ground Support Equipment (EGSE)
  • Power Supply Unit (PSU)
  • Instrument Data Processing Unit (IDPU)
  • Supervision of functional testing during production
  • Supervision of functional testing during integration
  • Supervision of EMC testing,
  • Supervision of Qualification & Acceptance testing
  • Production and test of electronics and test adaptors